Virginia Regional Teachers of the Year Named
During Surprise Classroom Visits All Eight in the Running for State Top Teacher Honor

Eight educators learned of their selection today as the Virginia 2007 Regional Teachers of the Year during surprise classroom visits made by Department of Education representatives.

“Students look to their teachers for inspiration.” said Superintendent of Public Instruction Billy K. Cannaday Jr. “The eight teachers being recognized today represent all Virginia’s teachers who inspire students to achieve at increasingly higher levels and work to ensure that every child is successful in the classroom.”

The 2007 Regional Teachers of the Year announced are:

James E. “Jim” Triesler , a history and government teacher at Clover Hill High School in Chesterfield County (Region One).

Elizabeth T. Harris , an Advanced Placement American History teacher at Great Bridge High School in Chesapeake (Region Two).

The eight teachers were selected from among candidates submitted by their school divisions. The candidates prepared and submitted portfolios highlighting their professional accomplishments, educational philosophies, and community activities. A panel of representatives of professional and educational associations, the business community, and 2006 Virginia Teacher of the Year Deborah S. Goforth of Spotsylvania County reviewed the portfolios.

The panel will interview each of the eight Regional Teachers of the Year on October 20 to select the 2007 Virginia Teacher of the Year. The decision will be announced that evening during a celebration in Richmond.

The 2007 Virginia Teacher of the Year will be the commonwealth’s nominee in the National Teacher of the Year program, which is sponsored by the Council of Chief State School Officers, Scholastic Inc, and ING Foundation. Two previous Virginia teachers have gone on to become National Teacher of the Year: B. Philip Bigler, the 1998 Virginia Teacher of the Year, and Mary Bicouvaris, the 1989 Virginia Teacher of the Year.